Explora Journeys has taken delivery of Explora III at Fincantieri’s Sestri Ponente shipyard in Genoa, bringing the MSC Group luxury cruise brand halfway towards its planned six-ship fleet.
The vessel was handed over on July 23 and forms part of MSC Group’s investment of more than 3.5 billion euros (US$4.1 billion) in six Explora Journeys ships, all designed and built by Fincantieri in Italy.
At 19.2 metres longer than sister ships Explora I and Explora II, Explora III offers additional public and accommodation space while carrying a similar number of guests. New features include three dining concepts – The Cellar, The Chef’s Table and Shore Club on 11 – as well as a second Owner’s Residence, additional Ocean Penthouses and Ocean Residences, expanded wellness facilities and Chopard’s first onboard boutique.
Following delivery, the ship departed Genoa on July 24 for a five-night Mediterranean preview sailing to Civitavecchia, calling at Marseille, Saint-Tropez, Villefranche-sur-Mer and Livorno.
Explora III will then head to Barcelona for its naming ceremony on August 1, before departing on its seven-night maiden journey to Lisbon on August 3. Its inaugural season will cover Northern Europe, Iceland, Greenland and North America.
In 2027, the vessel will operate Explora Journeys’ first Alaska season. The brand will subsequently enter Asia with Explora V in 2028.
Explora III is the first LNG-capable ship in the fleet and is also equipped with shore power capability, allowing it to use onshore electricity while berthed where infrastructure is available.
Three further vessels – Explora IV, Explora V and Explora VI – are under construction at Fincantieri and are scheduled to join the fleet in 2027 and 2028.
